Lionel Messi, Robert Lewandowski and Mohamed Salah are among the favorites to be crowned best male player, while Barcelona’s Alexia Putellas and Jennifer Hermoso lead the women’s nominees.

However, the programming of the awards in the middle of an international women’s break has provoked criticism, a decision that makes it difficult for some of the nominees to attend. 

For example, the star of Australia and Chelsea, Sam Kerr, who is in the race to be crowned the best player in the women’s game, will be a notable absentee from the ceremony with the Matildas facing the US on Tuesday in Newcastle .“It’s incredibly disappointing that the highest award for the best players in the world isn’t even accessible for them to attend; these things should continue to stand out as unacceptable,” said Rehanne Skinner, head coach of Tottenham Hotspur Women. dit on Twitter.

Some players have been released to attend the awards, including Spanish internationals Putellas, Hermoso, Irene Paredes and Sandra Paños.

The quartet left training with the national team and will return before the qualifier for the World Cup against Scotland in Seville on Tuesday. 

CNN has contacted France Football, which organizes the Golden Ball Awards, regarding the programming for this year’s ceremony. 

“I don’t think it’s an intentional disdain … I just think that the Golden Ball now by definition is both a male and a female award, and in the third season, they really have to get it right and they have to do it. “That’s the way New Zealand captain Rebecca Smith told CNN World Sport.”

“It’s just another one of those,” Come on“- Half the fun of the prizes is to have the players there.

“I’m not sure if Sam Kerr, if he wins, can board a private jet from Australia to Paris to pick him up.”

The women’s Golden Ball was presented in 2018 and was won by Norwegian Ada Hegerberg, while American Megan Rapinoe became the second winner the following year. Last year’s awards were canceled amid the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Of the 20 players nominated for this year’s award, 10 play for Chelsea or Barcelona, ​​the two teams that played in the Champions League final in May. Barcelona’s 4-0 victory in that match was the highlight of the team’s treble season. 

In the men’s award, Messi could claim a seventh Golden Ball with an extension of the record after winning the Copa America with Argentina earlier this year.

Lewandowski’s sensational goal-scoring form with Bayern Munich has also put him at stake; the striker has scored 53 goals this calendar year, more than any other player in the top five leagues in Europe. Salah of Liverpool, the top scorer in the Premier League this season, and Karim Benzema of Real Madrid, the top scorer so far in the league, are also among the favorites, as is the midfielder. Jorginho, who this year won the Champions League with Chelsea and Euro 2020 with Italy. 

The lists of nominees are compiled by France Football, after which a panel of journalists from around the world votes on the winners. 

Also in play are the Kopa Trophy, awarded to the best male under-21 player, and the Yashin Trophy to the best goalkeeper. The ceremony begins at 2:30 pm ET.